The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes and effects of xenophobia in South Africa. The study also aimed at focussing on tracing whether there are any programmes in place to counter xenophobia. The ultimate goal was to establish ways in which secondary schools can play a role in averting xenophobia in the country. The research centred on gathering information through a review of literature, the use of questionnaires and conducting interviews. The literature reviewed highlighted a pattern of xenophobic tendencies since the dawn of independence in South Africa in 1994 which ultimately reached alarming levels in May 2008. Foreigners are accused of ‘stealing’ jobs and women from locals, commiting crimes, accessing government grants, accepting wages below the minimum laid down and enjoying better living standards than many locals. The foreigners’ way of life is not acceptable to some South Africans in terms of their language, lifestyles and personalities. Poverty seems to play a big role as most of the xenophobic acts occur in densely populated urban townships and squatter camps. The study did not come across significant efforts either from government or civic organisations aimed at countering xenophobia in South Africa especially in light of the extreme 2008 attacks on foreign nationls. The questionnaires were administered on 241 South African learners and the interviews were conducted with 15 African foreign learners in South Africa. The information gathered through questionnaires and interviews was summarised and analysed leading to conclusions that mostly corroborated the findings of the literature review. Some of the responses to the questionnares are worrying as they clearly reveal some xenophobic tendencies whilst some reponses to the interview questions recount some disturbing experiences that the participants encountered. Some of the recommendations made include the introduction of strict measures against name calling in schools, dealing with any xenophobic incidents in schools no matter how small the incident might be and organising regional sporting events together with educational exchange programs such as Mathematics Olympiads with schools from neighbouring countries. It is hoped that the implementation of the suggested recommendations may reduce the occurrence of xenophobia in South Africa. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

A qualitative study was undertaken in Pietermaritzburg to unveil the experiences and challenges of WLWHIV as perceived by social workers as well as to explore and describe the experiences of social workers in rendering services to these women. Explorative, descriptive and contextual research designs were employed for the research process. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were utilised to recruit participants who met the set criteria. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen participants. Data obtained were transcribed and analysed applying Tesch‘s eight steps (Creswell, 2009). Data verification was guided by Guba‘s model (Krefting, 1991). The findings revealed the existence of strained relationships between WLWHIV and their partners and ineffective delivery of social work services to WLWHIV. Based on the findings, it is recommended that specialised training for social workers on issues related to death and dying and services for children of WLWHIV be incorporated in the guidelines for social work practice / Social Work / M.A. (social Work)

This study investigated some of the causes of marital pathology of Zulu couples. Through a questionnaire, the study investigated factors which affect Zulu marriages. It was found, according to thi~ research, that communication and infidelity by Zulu husbands are serious causes of marital pathology. The research also revealed that the historical and cultural nature of the Zulu marriage contributes to marital pathology. The second aim of the research was to investigate the marital therapy of Zulu couples. The question was whether marital therapy works among the Zulus, given the unwillingness of Zulu husbands to be counselled. The researcher found that Zulu husbands are resistant to being counselled. A therapeutic model was designed and used with two case examples. In both cases divorces were averted. This seems to indicate that marriage counselling can restore most of the Zulu marriages if husbands could cooperate in being counselled with their wives. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed.

Text in Afrikaans, abstract in Afrikaans and English / Die studie handel oor die probleme wat veranderende werksomstandighede vir die werker en sy gesin veroorsaak. In 'n tydvak waar die wereld van werk dramaties verander, toon baie mense onkundigheid oor wat die veranderende wereld van werk impliseer. Hierdie veranderende wereld van werk vereis dat die werker groter verantwoordelikheid sal neem vir sy/haar eie loopbaantoekoms en -sekuriteit. 'n Loopbaan waar vaste ure, 'n vaste salaris, 'n pensioenfonds en ander byvoordele vanselfsprekend is, is in die veranderende wereld van werk nie meer die norm nie. Mense is nie voorbereid op veranderende werksomstandighede nie en ervaar verskeie probleme soos stres, 'n verswakte selfbeeld, depressie en 'n gevoel van magteloosheid. Die meeste mense wat blootgestel word aan veranderende werksomstandighede ervaar toekomsskok en hunker na die ou bedeling waar dinge seker en voorspelbaar was. Omdat persona blootgestel aan veranderende werksomstandighede nie voldoende op verandering voorberei word nie, ervaar hulle en hul gesinne probleme. Hulle probeer dikwels om so vinnig moontlik van die pyn en angstigheid wat met die verandering gepaard gaan, te ontsnap en neem daarom dikwels ondeurdagte besluite en voortydige aksies. Dit het dikwels mislukking tot gevolg wat verreikende ekonomiese en psigologiese implikasies mag inhou. Die begeleidingsprogram vir die studie is daarom ontwerp met die doel om aan gesinne wat blootgestel word aan veranderende werksomstandighede die nodige insig in die veranderende wereld van werk te gee, en om aan hulle die nodige vaardighede te gee om die probleme wat veranderinge meebring, te kan hanteer. Die persone en hulle gesinne word bemagtig deurdat aan hulle die begrip "portefeulje -werk" met die uitgangspunt dat almal altyd oor sekere bemarkbare vaardighede beskik, en daarom tegnies nooit werkloos hoef te wees nie, bekendgestel word. Daar word gepoog dat hulle hierdie konsep sal internaliseer en dat hulle daarom 'n paradigmaskuif sal maak sodat hulle meer op hulself en hulle eie vaardighede aangewese is as op eksterne faktore in die wereld van werk. Uit die terugvoergesprekke met die proefpersone aan die begin van die groepsessies en die vraelyste wat hulle voltooi het, blyk dit dat hulle gebaat het by die bywoning van die groepsessies. / This study deals with the problems experienced by a person and his/her family when faced with changing work circumstances. In a time where the world of work is undergoing dramatic changes, many people lack knowledge about the implications of the changing world of work. This changing world of work requires that the worker will take greater responsibility for his own career future and career security. A career where fixed work hours, a fixed salary, a pension fund and other benefits are a given, is no longer the norm in the changing world of work. People are not prepared to deal with changing work circumstances. They experience a variety of problems like stress, a poor self image and depression. Most people who are facing changing work circumstances experience future shock and long for the old times when things were certain and predictable. Persons and their families who are facing changing work circumstances are not sufficiently prepared for the changes. They often try to escape the pain and anxiety which accompany the changes by making quick decisions and by taking premature actions. This often leads to failure and has serious economic and psychological implications. The counselling programme for this study is thus designed with the purpose to give the families who are faced with changing work circumstances the necessary insight in the changing world of work, and to equip them with the necessary skills to deal with the problems which accompany the changes. The persons and their families are also empowered by introducing them to the concept "portfolio work". The implications of portfolio work is that people always have some marketable skills, and by marketing themselves and their skills they should technically never be unemployed. It is attempted to help the participants to internalise these concepts in order to make a paradigm shift so that they will be more self reliant and less dependent on employers in the world of work. From feedback with participants in the investigation at the beginning of the group sessions, and the questionnaires they completed, it seems that they have benefited from attending the group sessions. / Psychology of Education / Ph. D. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)

Text in Afrikaans / Hierdie navorsing is gerig op die aanwending van narratiewe pastorale terapie met breadwinners wat werksonsekerheid tydens 'n rasionaliseringsproses ervaar. Die studie is kwalitatief van aard en is gebaseer op narratiewe pastorale gesprekvoerlng esook die proses van meervoudige refleksie waardeur die navorsing gerig en aangepas word. As navorser was ek deelnemer in die proses van verandering waarin veralgemening genegeer is en die rol van persoonlike kennis beklemtoon is. Die terapie is gerig op proaktiewe optrede tydens die rasionaliseringsproses en is ten opsigte van elkeen van die deelnemers aangewend in pasmaakgesprekke waartydens hul unieke behoefles aandag geniet het. Deur die metode van eksternalisering is die invloed van werksonsekerheid op die deelnemers geeksploreer en is hulie aangemoedig om in 'n ander verhouding tot die probleem van werksonsekerheid le staan. Namate die deelnemers tydens hierdie proses belangrike skuiwe op die vlak van identiteit gemaak het, ken hulie die toekoms met nuwe hoop bejeen. / The research was directed at the application of narrative pastoral therapy with breadwinners experiencing job insecurity during a process of rationalisation. This qualitative study was based on narrative pastoral conversations as well as the process of multiple reflection through which the research was directed and adapted. As researcher, I was a participant in the process of change in which generalisations were negated and the role of personal knowledge emphasised. The therapy was directed at proactive action during the rationalisation process and was applied in respect of each of the participants in a customised conversation. The influence of job insecurity on the participants was explored through the method of externalisation and they were encouraged to adopt a new relationship to the problem of job insecurity. In the process, as each participant made important shifts on the level of identity, they wera able to view the future with new hope. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Praktiese Teologie (Pastorale Terapie))

The purpose of the study was to find out about provision of guidance and counselling in the schools in the Transkei sub-region of the Eastern Cape. Guidance and counselling services are crucial to the success of lifelong learning policies, providing assistance and advice to learners so that they make better informed and future educational and career choices suitable for them. Through guidance and counseling services, students develop a clear understanding of self, their attitudes, abilities, interests, ambitions, resources and limitations from career counselling. They are also guided into various entrepreneurial activities, training, advancement and other benefits for sustainable self-reliance and self-worth. Students are able to achieve and live fulfilled lives and contribute meaningfully to the development of their country in all spheres of life once they receive appropriate guidance and counselling services. Guidance and counseling services look at the holistic development of the learner by taking into account the psycho-social, intellectual, emotional and physical development aspects of the learner within the context of the learner’s environment. The provision of guidance and counselling programmes and services is the shared responsibility of all school staff. A team approach should be employed, wherein all staff members have specified roles to play. School counsellors play a key role in planning and implementing programmes and service. Guidance and counselling programmes and services are systematically planned to meet the needs of all learners and are infused into the daily activities of schools. Using a quantitative research design, the research sample included Department of Education (DoE) Officials and teachers in seven districts in the Transkei sub-region of the Eastern Cape. Questionnaires were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics in were used to analyse the provision of guidance and counselling in the schools in the Transkei sub-region of the Eastern Cape. The results revealed that guidance and counselling is necessary in schools and that it should be provided in all schools in the districts. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Specialisation in Guidance and Counselling)

This study explored the experiences of members of an OCD support group, utilising a qualitative design, social constructionist approach, and a systemic framework. Participants were obtained through purposive sampling; data was collected via faceto- face semi-structured interviews with four participants. It emerged that these participants attended two OCD support groups (initial support group and sub-support group). The participants’ experiences were analysed using thematic analysis. Major findings: the participants’ motivation to attend both support groups was to reduce their OCD symptoms and improve functioning. The initial support group was a professional-led psychoeducational support group while the sub-support group was a self-help psychotherapeutic group. The groups also complemented each other with information from the initial support group being implemented in the sub-support group. The participants reported to have benefitted from participation in both support groups as their OCD symptoms reduced and their daily functioning improved. Recommendations for future research were discussed. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

The purpose of this study was to explore and identify factors that either facilitate or inhibit individuals volunteering for HIV-testing. The target group was comprised of Xhosa first-language construction workers in a company with an HIV/AIDS workplace policy and programme. This programme provides basic education and awareness about HIV/AIDS. This education includes information about where to access voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services. Interpretive qualitative research was undertaken in order to explore the beliefs, perceptions and intentions of the target group in regard to the utilisation VCT services. Data was collected using an unstructured interview guide. The data was analysed using Tesch’s approach to content analysis. Concerns about validity and reliability were engaged throughout the research process and supported further by using researcher reflexivity and an independent researcher. The independent researcher analysed data separately and only after discussion and consensus being found between the two researchers were final categories and codes agreed upon and data analysis considered complete. Findings revealed that an HIV/AIDS workplace programme has a positive impact on the health-seeking behaviour of workers in the construction company used in this research. Respondents knew how HIV/AIDS is transmitted, how to prevent transmission and where to find HIV-testing treatment and support. In this case HIV-testing services can easily be accessed further facilitating respondents volunteering for HIV-testing. It was also found that family, friends and churches support HIV-testing behaviour by providing education, guidance and support to respondents encouraging behaviour change. On the other hand, respondents held that community members who had not benefited from an HIV/AIDS workplace programme such as theirs are exposed daily to the devastating effects of HIV leading to AIDS deaths and live in fear of the disease. Debilitating illness and eventual death is equated with an HIV-positive diagnosis which causes community members to believe it is better not to volunteer for HIV-testing than to ascertain one’s HIV-status. The HIV/AIDS workplace policy and xv programme on the other hand is seen to have provided respondents with HIV/AIDS knowledge enabling them to overcome their fear of an HIV-positive diagnosis and to volunteer for regular HIV-testing.

Divorce is a phenomenon that affects the emotional, physical and social wellbeing of the divorcees and those close to them. The situation becomes complicated if the affected person has a responsibility of providing caring and nurturing services to the sick, either as a manager or as a practitioner. The extent of how the impact of divorce affects the performance of professional nurses in their roles as carers and as managers was unknown. The nature and quality of services that they render to their patients, their coping strategies and the support systems were unknown. The purpose of the study was to describe and explore the impact of divorce on work performance of professional nurses at the East London Hospital Complex with the aim of ensuring high quality patient care. The objectives of the study were to: explore and describe the lived experiences of female divorced professional nurses with regard to the impact of divorce on their work performance; identify their coping strategies and their support systems. An exploratory descriptive and contextual qualitative research design was used. A phenomenological approach was used. The participants were twelve (12) divorced female professional nurses. The purposive and snowball sampling as non-probability sampling techniques were used. An interview guide was used to conduct the interviews. Audiotape was used for recording the data. Tesch’s steps (1990) of analyzing qualitative data guided the data analysis process. According to the lived experiences of the participants, divorce is traumatic and painful with emotional, physical, financial and social impact. It had a negative impact on the professional nurses’ work performance. The coping strategies included acceptance of the reality, studying, involvement with club and church activities. Support was available from the families, church, friends, and colleagues. Recommendations are that: the employee assistance program be marketed more effectively by hospital management and be included in the hospital, departmental and unit orientation programmes; that a dedicated psychologist, as well as preventive intervention programs, be made available to employees dealing with divorce.

PhD (African Studies) / Department of African Studies / This study sought to investigate self-efficacy in vocational development of women in low socio-economic communities. The main aim of the study was to investigate the sociocontextual factors influencing self-efficacy of women. The objectives were fourfold: to examine the levels of self-efficacy of these women; to ascertain the extent to which selfefficacy influences vocational development of women and to propose a pragmatic women developmental model for acceleration of access to vocational development. The study utilised Self-Efficacy Theory (SET) as its theoretical frame-work which originated from Bandura’s (1986) Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). The study employed the qualitative phenomenological approach which is concerned about the everyday experiences of individuals and how human beings experienced a certain phenomenon. The population of the study comprised of women in low socio-economic communities, traditional leaders; Community leaders; health workers and religious leaders. The sample for this study was 60 participants. Data were collected through interviews; participant observation; and focus group discussions. The study recommended the pragmatic Partnership of the Family, Church and the Society (F.C.S) Women Developmental Mode. The model emphasizes the importance of teamwork between all the community structures to help in building up the confidence of women in low socio-economic communities. / NRF